Alonso confirmed at McLaren for 2007

McLaren confirmed on December 19th that world champion Fernando Alonso will
join the team in 2007. The news comes just days after McLaren announced it
had secured Vodafone as title sponsor for the same year. The Woking squad
said it was in ...

McLaren confirmed on December 19th that world champion Fernando Alonso will
join the team in 2007. The news comes just days after McLaren announced it
had secured Vodafone as title sponsor for the same year. The Woking squad
said it was in discussions with current drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Juan
Pablo Montoya in regard to 2007.

Fernando Alonso.

Photo by xpb.cc.

"Its great that our strong belief in the strength and competitiveness of the
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes package has been further endorsed by the World
Champion," said tem principal Ron Dennis. "We always make it clear that we
want to be the best and the only way of achieving this objective is by
attracting the best people, the best drivers and the best sponsors."

"Fernando and McLaren Mercedes wanted to make the announcement as soon as
possible in a controlled and professional manner to allow McLaren Mercedes,
Fernando, Kimi and Juan Pablo to focus on the preparations for the 2006
season."

"Our aim for next year remains absolutely clear to everybody within the team
-- we want to win races and be in a position where we might have two Formula
One World Champions driving for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in 2007."

Alonso became the youngest ever champion with Renault in 2005 after a
season-long fight with McLaren and Kimi Raikkonen. While the news of his
move to McLaren may be a little surprising, there have been rumours that
Renault may quit F1 after 2007. The Spaniard said the chance to join
McLaren was too good to pass up.

"To become part of a team with such a desire to succeed and passion for
performance is a dream come true for any Formula One driver," Alonso
commented. "I'm very excited about 2007 and the fantastic opportunity to
drive for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It will be a new beginning for me and a
tremendous challenge and from what I have heard about this exciting new
Partnership there is something to look forward to."

"Obviously I will be sad to leave Renault but sometimes possibilities come
along which are just too good to miss. I'm pleased that we are able to make
this announcement already now as it will allow my current team and I to
focus 100 per cent on defending the World Championships next year."

Renault president Patrick Faure said he understood Alonso's decision:
"I was disappointed to learn of Fernando's decision but, by the end of 2006,
he will have spent five seasons with Renault. Fresh challenges are essential
for any sportsman, and he has taken the decision to pursue a new direction
in his career. That is part of Formula 1, and part of life."

Now we have to wait and see who Alonso's teammate will be at McLaren. Rumour
has it that Raikkonen is planning to head to Ferrari in 2007, so it could be
that McLaren have secured Alonso as the Finn's replacement. However, for the
moment it's only speculation.